EPSO AD5 Rebrand 2026 — From “Graduates” to “Generalists”

The Facts Behind the Gloss

EPSO has quietly renamed its flagship AD5 competition from Generalists to Graduates and postponed it to early 2026 (https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/upcoming-selection-procedures). The official reason? Integration of a new testing provider (OAT) and revamped IT systems - in other words, an administrative pit stop before the next long race.

At face value, the shift sounds cosmetic. Yet, discussions across blogs, EPSO-prep platforms, and insiders’ corners hint that a deeper recalibration may be underway, providing incumbents with an alibi to dilute their commitment and procrastrinate their preparation.

We have examined the matter by consulting relevant official sources, commercial websites, blogs, and AI platforms. The key findings are summarised in the following table.

What We (Think We) Know

The Big Picture

So far, there’s no confirmed change in what is tested. In contrast there are strong hints that how it is tested may change and evolve.
“Graduates” signals a clear shift in tone — away from dusty theories and lengthy work experience, and toward a competency-based, digitally fluent model of selection. Early preparation for the Reasoning tests, the Case Study, the generic Written Test (WT), the Field-Related Written Test (FRWT), or the free-text Essay on EU Matters (EUFTE) will be the decisive factor for success.

What This Means for You

· Start now. Whether EPSO tweaks the format or not, the core reasoning skills are immortal and timeless - and they take time to sharpen.

· Train for adaptability. Practice, practice and practice applying logic in context. Do not just learn theory or memorizing rules.

· Polish your professional narrative. It is plausible that the Talent Screener (or a “computer-assisted” ATS-type variant) will be part of your assessment process, making an evidence-based CV critical for your progress.

· Staying informed is one thing; being paralysed by uncertainty is another. It is true that only the forthcoming Notice of Competition will eventually define the final details of the new process. Yet, candidates who wait for that “official confirmation” are likely to begin their preparation too late to succeed.

· Promptly master the cognitive triad (as EPSO Unlocked 2025 puts it): reasoning, synthesis, clarity - the holy trinity that survives every reform.

Final Word

EPSO’s “Graduate” makeover may be little more than fresh paint on an old structure - or the prelude to a sleeker, smarter competition. Either way, those who prepare as if the test will get harder will be the ones ready when it doesn’t - or when it does!